How Athens Became a Modern Metropolis
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- čas přidán 3. 04. 2024
- Is Athens the ugliest city in Europe? It seems many locals and tourists alike think so. But I beg to differ. Let's find out why Athens might be misunderstood.
'The Athens Urbanist' Episode 3 of 6. Watch the next episode: • How Athens Survived Ne...
Also, subtitles are also available in Greek! Υπάρχουν διαθέσιμοι υπότιτλοι στα ελληνικά 🇬🇷
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I can understand why Athenians may dislike the polykatokias. But as an outsider it does have so much more character than the apartments I see built in my city in the US. It's less cold and distant, it has an inviting feeling. I also think it actually does look incredibly nice. Of course this is just an outsiders perspective
The fact that commercial and residential areas are mixed and not seperate makes greek cities very lively and it’s a great concept!
I once told an English friend that I hate Athens because it is ugly, he replied that he loves Athens because it is "honest"...which struck me as a very interesting description.
The problem of Athens isn't the polykatikies but the general state of the urban environment. By that I mean, the quality of communal spaces (pavements, road infrastructure, bike infrastructure) the lack of maintenance of both the buildings and spaces and of course the lack of basic hygiene.
I lived in Athens for four years back in the '90's, and have very fond memories. I fell in love with the city. Hidden alleyways, with cafes, bars and nightclubs. Charming neighborhoods, very livable, and always a bakery, a periptero ( a newsstand, but much more), a bakaliko and kafeneio always close by. My biggest complaint was its people who often didn't show much pride in the city and dumped garbage everywhere. Greeks I found very anarchic, never obeying rules.
I'm watching while tears coming from my eyes. God.... I missed Athens so much. Athens: Ugly at first sight and so lovely and beautiful after you getting know it. Ariel my friend, your approach is also so unique. So simple and so pure at the same time. Talking with the locals with such a friendly conversation. And they are opening their hearts... I don't have another word to discribe it. done again my friend!!!
"Why do Athenians hate Athens?" I really don't want to come off as condescending, but I see the same attitude in many passerbys that have this removed, academic interest in this topic, and this romanticized idea of a city, divorced from its lived reality as an inhabitant.
Ok, I think this is my first comment ever on youtube. I just moved to Athens after years all over the world, including NYC, Shanghai and Dubai. It's an overwhelmingly ugly city that is full of beauty. You captured it so well. There's a story about dog and cat cities - a dog city being a place like Amsterdam - it comes to you. A cat city being a place like Athens (or Beirut or Tehran)....you need to explore and see the beauty. Athens is full of life, love, culture, & energy. There's ugliness everywhere. There's beauty everywhere. You just have to look. Love Athens.
I love Athens. Its like an overgrown Greek village. The people brought their own villages into growing metropolis and made it a organic, beautiful mess! Nothing like it. A Unique modern and ancient city.
What a great take an a busy metropolis that is so chaotic, yet so orderly, so lively across all neighborhoods, so warm and communal. The mix of all people regardless of financial status!
This was super informative and well put together. Thank you Ariel and team !
My family has been living in Athens since the late 19th century. The ugliest European capital - well, maybe, although it has many nice parts. But the ugliest city??? Who says that? Even Greece itself has many uglier cities... As for the apartment buildings ("polykatoikies"), it depends on which ones. Those built before 1960, and even more so before 1940, are really nice. The only problem with those is when they replaced a neoclassical or other older building. But, post 1960, these are ranging from boring to ugly. Also, before 1960, the apartment building was THE building of choice for higher incomes. (The refugees of the Asia Minor disaster were not housed in central Athens, but in peripheral settlements). But, after 1960, more and more apartment buildings for lower income niches were built. A problem with this otherwise interesting video is that it does not make this distinction at all, and it also rarely shows any beautiful buildings, it is as if it is focused on ugliness.. A lot of delapidation, graffiti and exposed side walls in most images. Speaking with Nikos was brilliant, very few people know the city and care about it like Nikos does. His remarks are spot-on.
I'm Greek and my wife's Japanese. I used to dread visiting Athens as a child, but seeing my wife's unfiltered love for Athens (and Greece in general) and asking me to visit whenever we can, I learned to appreciate the small things in this city. The small cafes and mom-and-pop stores in Plaka, Anafiotika, Thiseio, Koukaki etc, young and old people making the most of what they have with a smile on their face, always open for banter etc. I've lived in so many countries in my life so far, but every time I come back to Athens, I feel at home. Even though I know it's a piece of crap of a city, it's
How says athens is ugly??? Athens is a unique city with unique vibe!!! ❤❤❤❤
In 2019 I had the privilege to live in Athens and I loved every bit of it. Even tho I had a very small salary, I had the best time of my life. The buildings, the atmosphere, everything. I lived in Voula and Agia Varvara and the most beautiful part is that I met the love of my life which I’m still together with. So I’m forever grateful to Athens and it has a special place in my heart.
It’s charming in its chaos. I love wandering around Athens and trying to live like a local. The best places are off the tourist track, like any big city. It is ugly and beautiful at the same time. But the weather and warmth of the people are undeniable.
Last year i traveled for the first time outside of Greece to Budapest Hungary and i was so excited to see some refreshing good architecture. When we arrived there from day one i felt depressed and started to question myself. How could i feel like this, when i had great architecture around me in comparison to Athens's concrete buildings? I later realized that it was because almost everything was the same. Square buildings with windows and decorative features and while stunning, they felt mundane and cold. In Athens every single polykatoikia is different, they have balconies which add depth and greenery (unfortunately most people leave them empty), you can hear and see people sitting or looking out from them.
This was so interesting and educational. Well done! I love how you erase the opening credits with yourself!
I think it's beatifull. Beauty from the above is useless. Cheers from Brazil.